Gemma Caruana’s got big feelings, and who can blame her when there’s just so much to get mad about? So she’s made a show to, quite literally, get things off her chest. This musical comedy teems with ideas, songs, video links, costume changes and audience participation. That it all forms a cohesive whole that never overwhelms our focus on Caruana is to her credit. The Adelaide local has grown and grown since her debut with the excellent Underwire in 2022 and Rage Bait sees her stepping into her power as a singer (where did that soprano come from?), performer and slightly unhinged oddball (anyone else still mad about the Bridget Parker storyline in Neighbours in 2009? Nope? See. Just Caruana).

Her crowd work is delightful too, even on a slow Sunday night: maybe especially on a slow Sunday night, when we can all add our own pet peeves to the pot as well as celebrating Caruana’s. We all agree that she shouldn’t get over the disappointment of a Zoingo Boingo pogo stick and that motion sickness discomfies should get you a week off work, actually. And as for that Bridget Parker...

This is a proper power-hour of musical funsies and the perfect antidote to whatever’s sending you round the bend, with clever conceits and lots of details to enjoy, all held together by some confident direction from Sharnema Nougar (who is making a quiet name for herself as a director round these parts) and Caruana’s undeniable star-power.

Gemma Caruana – Rage Bait continues at the Crawford Room at the Courtyard Of Curiosities at the State Library until March 1; picture: Nicholas Robertson.